Paleontology is a fascinating field that utilizes an array of meticulous methods to best depict what the creatures of old were like: extinct dinosaurs, mammals, reptiles, you name it. However, even though scientists have come a long way in this area, it doesn’t mean it was a smooth road. And through the years, there have been more than a few mistakes, and sometimes a mistake is so significant, it changes how we think about a certain animal, but the silver lining (as seen with these 4 creatures) is that these giant mishaps make for interesting discussions.
20,000-Year-Old Ice Age Mystery Solved
Most of us will have seen the many examples of Palaeolithic cave art, beautifully drawn and coloured and dominated by animal imagery. Ice Age humans were so much more than mere survival specialists; they were so much more than nomadic hunter gatherers.
Our ancient ancestors were not simple people. They could build intricate houses from the bones of mammoths, they created and perfected the art of stone tool making, they accurately shaped animals from stone, they had a culture, burial rites and belief systems and yes, from Europe to Siberia and beyond, they were able to survive the harsh conditions of the Ice Age.
Their paintings though are truly incredible and this stone canvas in the Lascaux Cave is arguably one of humanity’s greatest artistic achievements.
Having a personal interest in Ice Age cultures meant I was fascinated to read the news this week, that a furniture conservator, an amateur called Ben Bacon may have solved a truly ancient mystery – the meaning behind seemingly random, markings – lines, dots and shapes – that were painted next to or onto animals by Ice Age artists.
Mr Bacon suspected that these markings had a specific meaning, an idea shared by many archaeologists, but amazingly, it’s an amateur that may have solved it. They're charting the mating seasons of various animals according to an ancient lunar calendar! Watch the video to learn more!
Mysterious Ancient Egyptian Discovery That Will Blow Your Mind
The history of Ancient Egypt is one of the most intriguing eras in human history, which has been researched for thousands of years. There is much conjecture regarding what Ancient Egyptians actually looked like, even though we have many surviving artifacts from this time period. There is a common trope in Western drama where Egyptians have light complexion or dark hair. Is that really the case, though? Alternatively, did ancient Egyptians have a black race?
British Monarchy Family Tree | English & Scottish Kings to Charles III
In the following video we will analyze the British Monarchy family tree, and more specifically the English and Scottish kings to Charles III. Enjoy!
The Most Incedible Ancient Discoveries
In this video we will explore the most incredible ancient discoveries. Watch the video and enjoy!
What did British Researchers find INSIDE and UNDER the Egyptian Pyramids?
In this video, you'll find out what’s inside and under the Egyptian pyramids, what unusual things were recently discovered there, where are priceless artifacts and the pharaoh’s body, and so much more!
What do the Egyptian pyramids hide inside and under them?
Illustration by Dimosthenis Vasiloudis
If we can trust the opinion of many scholars who want the Egyptian ethnonym "Haunebu" (= the people who live north behind the islands and coasts) to refer to the inhabitants of the Aegean at that time, then this specific relief is the oldest protohistoric portrait of a Greek woman known to us so far!
This Egyptian Relief is the earliest portrait of a Greek woman!
Breaking Ground: Discovering the Earliest Portrait of a Greek Woman in Egyptian Relief Art
For centuries, historians and archaeologists have tirelessly worked to unravel the mysteries of ancient civilizations. Egyptian art, in particular, serves as an invaluable source of historical knowledge, providing insight into the society, culture, and everyday life of one of the world's most ancient and influential civilizations. One recent discovery has astounded the historical community: the earliest known portrait of a Greek woman beautifully etched into an Egyptian relief.
It is Egyptian and dates back to 1302 BC, about 100 years before the Trojan War! It is located on the Second Pylon of Pharaoh Horemheb at Karnak, the largest place of worship in ancient Egypt. The relief depicts a woman of obvious Greek origin. Her distinct Greek attire and the characteristic hairstyle clearly differentiate her from her Egyptian contemporaries, which makes this find particularly exciting.
In Horemheb's colossal relief group of prisoners of war, there is also a gang of captives (men and women) with their race-name "Haunebu" inscribed against them.
The heads of the men are distorted, but the profile of a woman is yet perfect, and this profile is the earliest portrait of a Greek woman in the world. Her eye is defaced, but the delicate outline of the features is yet unscathed. She is depicted with a thin long ringlet (probably one on each side), a characteristic feature of the female hair in archaic Greek art. Therefore, it can be assumed that this hairstyle was a "national fashion" quite earlier.
Statue showing the King Mentuhotep III as Osiris with a tall crown, long beard and an full-length cloak.
The ethnonym "Haunebu", as a general term for the inhabitants of the Aegean area, is mentioned for the first time as early as the time of Pharaoh Sankhara (Mentuhotep III), of the 11th Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom (2010-1998 BC), as it appears on a carved slab of his time.
After this mention, we hear no more of early Greeks in Egypt until they reappear as Danai or Danaeans (Tanaju), about half a millennium later, in the reign of Thutmose III (1479-1425 BC). This pharaoh was the equivalent of "Alexander the Great" of ancient Egyptian history. He conquered most of the then known world, building Egypt's largest empire ever.
He carved the names of hundreds of defeated nations and conquered cities on the walls of Karnak and the Great Temple of Ammun. In these famous inscriptions, also known as the "Annals of Thutmose III", we find the Greeks mentioned for the second time in Egyptian history, as a diplomatic meeting between the Mycenaean delegation and the pharaoh in the area of Syria is recorded.
The ethnonym "Haunebu" nevertheless survived until the time of the Ptolemies, when the Greeks ruled Egypt. The native Egyptian scribes of the comparative Hellenistic Era used it to denote the ruling race (the Rosetta Stone), just as their distant ancestors had used it to denote "Greek barbarians," people of the sea who had been captured in battle 15 whole centuries ago!
The Hall of Annals of Thutmosis III, Temple of Karnak in Thebes. (mid 15th c. B.C.) Thutmosis (Menkheperre) offers foreign gifts to Amun.
This remarkable find not only represents the earliest known portrait of a Greek woman in Egyptian art but also stimulates a reevaluation of our understanding of ancient societal interactions, cultural exchanges, and the roles of Greek women in Ptolemaic Egypt. It serves as an invaluable link to the past, allowing us a peek into the nuanced relationships between one of the ancient world's most formidable powers and its influential Greek contemporaries.
Like many great historical discoveries, this one prompts as many questions as it answers, reminding us of the rich and layered tapestry that is human history. As scholars continue to study this fascinating artifact, it is certain that we will gain even more insight into the complex dynamics of cultural exchange in the ancient world, the status of Greek women in foreign societies, and the extent of their participation in public and religious life.
In conclusion, the Egyptian relief portraying the earliest Greek woman is not only an artistic marvel but also a testament to the complexities of ancient societies and the rich tapestry of cultural exchange that has shaped human history. As researchers continue to unveil the mysteries etched into this invaluable piece of art, we look forward to the new chapters this will open in our understanding of our shared past.
Most CREEPY Archaeological Discoveries EVER
Some discoveries present unusual depictions of past lives and deaths. From decapitated gladiators and scarred skeletons to witch hunt remnants and a mummified lung, we'll show you some of the most CREEPY Archaeological Discoveries EVER in this video, so watch this video till end!
12 strangest mysteries of Egyptian pyramids
The pyramids that stand on the Giza plateau in Egypt are the world's best-known landmarks but are also some of the world's least well-understood monuments. You'd be surprised by how much you don't know about the pyramids, but we're going to show you in this video - and maybe we'll throw in a few bonus facts about wider ancient Egypt while we're at it!
Archaeologists In Egypt Uncovered A 4400 Year Old Tomb Complete With Perfectly Preserved Paintings
When you think we have learned everything there is to know about the ancient Egyptians, a new archaeological discovery comes along. It sheds new light on the influential culture. The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has just announced that they have found the tomb of an ancient priestess.
Now we are going to talk about uncovering a buried tomb with artwork that has been completely preserved and dates back 4400 years.
How is it even possible? Let’s get started!
Is Everyone a Descendant of Royalty?
Could everyone really be a descendant of royalty? That’s exactly what we will be discussing in today’s video. Enjoy!
15 Spartan Life Rules (How To Be Mentally Strong)
The Spartans were a warrior culture hell-bent on producing the toughest citizens to have ever lived. They are notorious for their distaste of weakness and greatly shamed anyone who displayed signs of it. While researching this ancient city-state the same lessons seemed to emerge from their ruthless history and thus this video was born.
I created these life rules to represent qualities the Spartans valued. I wanted to make something that would help us to share in their grit, a practical guide to bolster our mental strength. The Spartans thrived during adversity due to their disciplined lifestyles, they faced life with courage and made honour their primary focus.
Giant Hidden City Found by Archaeologists Under Grand Canyon [Mystery]
The Grand Canyon is a river valley in the Colorado Plateau and is famous for its visually overwhelming size as well as intricate & colorful landscape. In addition, it is significant geologically because of the thick sequence of ancient rocks well preserved and exposed in the canyon walls. These rock layers preserve much of the continent's early geologic history.
Archaeologists Pulled A Sword From Beneath The Waves Of A Lake Where It Had Lain For 1000 Years
Deep beneath the surface of Poland’s Lake Lednica, a diver runs their fingers over an old sword, unaware at this stage of the true significance of their find. The archaeologist retrieves the ancient weapon, only to later learn that they are almost certainly the first person to touch it for many centuries. In fact, their discovery will prove vital as historians uncover the secrets of a medieval settlement.
The Stone Battle Axe of Neolithic Europe
The stone battle-axe was the most important weapon of Early Bronze Age Europe.
These weapons were used for a thousand years by peoples from the Baltic to the Atlantic. But where and when were they invented, who were the people who wielded them, and how were they used?
And are they the real Mjölnir, the weapon wielded by the Norse thunder god, Thor? Watch the video for more!
Ancient Creatures That Are Still Alive
In the video below we will be talking about ancient creatures that are still alive. Watch for more and enjoy!
Every Country England Has Invaded: Visualized
England is a country known for its invasions and colonies. In the video below we will go through every country that England has invaded, so let’s get right into it!
The Pre-Historic Secrets Frozen for Thousands Of Years
This documentary follows an operation in Northern Canada that is dedicated to piecing together indigenous history. Due to global warming, melting ice on and around mountains is revealing more and more artefacts that have been perfectly preserved for over 1000 years. These amazing finds are. helping to document and preserve indigenous culture in the region, a culture which is often ignored.
History’s Most Wanted Artifact Has Just Been Found!
Sometimes the work of archaeologists is just hair-pulling: although many historical sources tell us about the existence of unique objects, to this day there is no trace of the wondrous artifacts! Watch the video and enjoy!
Origins of Hanukkah - Maccabean Anti-Hellenic Rebellion (Documentary)
In the documentary below we will analyze the Maccabean Revolt - the anti-Hellenic and anti-Seleucid rebellion in Judea. As the Basileus of Seleucid Empire Antiochus the Great and his descendants attempted to Hellenize the Jews, a man called Judas Maccabeus and his relatives rose in rebellion waging a bloody guerilla war against the phalanx. This video covers all the major battles of the revolt and tells the origin story of Jewish Hanukkah.
